The Friends of the Ryerson & Burnham Libraries was formed in 1983 to bring together collectors and enthusiasts of books, libraries and scholarship, and encourage private book collecting.

The Friends foster interest in and support for The Ryerson & Burnham Libraries and its programs—acquisitions, conservation/preservation, exhibitions and publications—and attract gifts and bequests to strengthen the research collections of the Libraries.

Member Activities Include:

• Previews of books exhibitions with related lectures 
  
  
• Special viewing of the rare book collections and archives 
  
  
• Behind the scenes tours of the Libraries
  
  
• Programs on conservation and preservation
  
  
• Visits to special collections in Chicago
  

Join Now

• Please contact the Ryerson & Burnham Libraries Office at (312) 443-3671 or complete the attached form.

Upcoming Events

The Friends of the Libraries will host a private tour of the art work in the reading room at 5.30pm on Thursday, March 22. Henry & Gilda Buchbinder Associate Curator of American Art Sarah Kelly and Glasser and Rosenthal Archivist Bart Ryckbosch will share stories of this carefully selected body of work that tie in with the history of the Art Institute and the scholarship that takes place within the Libraries.

Additional Upcoming events will include a lecture on experimental comics to coincide with an exhibition, and a celebration for the Burnham Library centennial. Check back soon for more details.